PENSIONERS were targeted on their own doorsteps by a youth armed with an air pistol, a court heard.

Stroke victim Alec Hoyles was shot in the back and 78-year-old Jane Ince was struck in the chest when they were confronted by a 13-year-old boy, Warrington Crown Court was told this week.

The boy, from Orford, admitted attempting to rob both Mr Hoyles and Mrs Ince and possession of a firearm while committing the two offences.

But boys aged 11 and 12, from Dallam, denied the same offences and went on trial this week.

After a two-day hearing a jury cleared both boys of attempting to rob Mr Hoyles. But the 12-year-old was convicted of robbing Mrs Ince. The 11-year-old was cleared of that charge. Not guilty verdicts were directed by Judge David Hale on two air pistol possession charges against both youngsters.

Prosecutor Dominic Boothroyd said the allegations occurred on April 24, after the 13-year-old boy bought the gun from another youth for £5.

He entered a Co-0p store and demanded cigarettes but a security guard, an ex-serviceman, effectively told him to clear off and he left.

It was alleged he then, along with the two other boys, visited a row of elderly persons' bungalows in Orford.

Mr Hoyle's home was targeted first. The 13-year-old knocked on the front door and demanded cigarettes and money from the pensioner.

Giving evidence, Mr Hoyles admitted he panicked slightly and made a grab for the 13-year-old, who was still carrying the air pistol. But the defendant was too strong from him.

Next door neighbour Raymond Weedon saw the youth bend down, reload the gun and shoot Mr Hoyles in the back, the court heard.

In a statement, Mrs Ince said she was watching television when she heard banging on the front door. She opened it and claimed she was faced by three young boys.

Money was again demanded but Mrs Ince said she refused. Then she heard a "popping noise" and felt something hit her in the chest. Seconds later her window was broken.

The court heard Mrs Ince feared she would be blinded during the attempted robbery. Mr Hoyle's wife Hilda, who witnessed the offences, said she was "petrified" and the incident had left her nervous and anxious in her own home.

The 12 and 13 year-old boys will appear for sentence at Chester Crown Court on October 9.

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